Weedsport, NY — October 2, 2008 – By Tom Skibinski, DIRTcar Racing NorthEast PR Director
Three are better than one and when it comes down to the Halfway Lap Leader Bonus in the 37th Annual Rite Aid 200 on October 12 at the New York State Fairgrounds, that will never be more apparent with Dig Safely New York, Pinnacle Design Group (PDG) and Promotion (formerly Promotion Speed Supply) combining to offer a truly unique award.
After Larry Bishop announced a $500 cash reward from Dig Safely NY, Jeremie Corcoran from Promotion and PDG proprietor Jim Reyer joined forces to create an additional prize package boasting a brand new body plus a custom-designed paint job valued in excess of $3,000. On the heels of the special awards presentation to the Lap 100 Big-Block leader at the conclusion of Super DIRT Week on Sunday, Promotion will provide a short-track body complete with mounting before the bumper-to-bumper lettering is applied directly from within the PDG shop based Weedsport, New York.
Over the years it has become a tradition recognized by every race competitor. Whatever description is afforded the Lap 100 Award, cashing in at both the century mark and at the end of the Rite Aid 200 has become nearly impossible. In fact, since the inception of this lucrative award, it has been done only once before. And that was not even in the same afternoon as Billy Decker returned to the Syracuse Mile in November three years ago to garner the prized award.
For the 22nd consecutive year, the leader at the halfway point of the Rite Aid 200 stands to collect the highly sought after bonus that has become and integral part of the Sunday show. Only time will tell if patient pit stop execution and a victory lane appearance are compatible in the 2008 edition of the world’s richest DIRTcar Racing event for Big-Block Modifieds.
The extension of the Modified main from 125 laps in 1987 gave pit strategy a far more prolific role in the final outcome than any of the previous 15 editions. And when a hefty bonus was lined up for the lap 100 leader even more was at stake when the time came to turn pitside in the since lengthened 200-lapper. Veteran Alan Johnson pocketed the inaugural check in 1987 while Valley regular Andy Bachetti collected the cash last October despite suffering a broken drive shaft to finish 34th on the final scoresheet.
Year-Lap 100 Leader (Rite Aid 200 Finish)
2007-Andy Bachetti (34th), 2006-Rick Laubach (31st), 2005-Billy Decker (1st), 2004-Pat Ward (3rd), 2003-Danny Johnson (19th), 2002-Jerry Higbie (24th), 2001-Pete Bicknell (8th), 2000-Frank Cozze (22nd), 1999-Danny Johnson (16th), 1998-Bobby Varin (5th), 1997-Billy Decker (27th), 1996-Rick Mill (24th), 1995-Danny Johnson (8th), 1994-Dave Blaney (2nd), 1993-Dave Blaney (26th), 1992-Frank Jashembowski (25th), 1991-Frank Cozze (24th), 1990-Danny Johnson (20th), 1989-Frank Cozze (17th), 1988-Doug Hoffman (6th), 1987-Alan Johnson (18th).
Headquartered in Roanoke, Va., Advance Auto Parts, a leading automotive aftermarket retailer of parts, accessories, batteries, and maintenance items in the United States, serves both the do-it-yourself and professional installer markets As of April 19, 2008, the Company operated 3,291 stores in 40 states, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. Additional information about the Company, employment opportunities, customer services, and on-line shopping for parts and accessories can be found on the Company’s web site at www.advanceautoparts.com.
The Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series for Big-Block Modifieds is brought to fans across the Northeast by several sponsors and partners, including series sponsors Advance Auto Parts, Hoosier Racing Tire and Sunoco Race Fuels. Promotional partners include AMB i.t., Rite Aid Corporation and the University of Northwestern Ohio and the contingency sponsors are Bert Transmission, Bicknell Racing Products, Bilstein Shocks, Brodix Cylinder Heads, Crane Cams, Integra Shocks, MSD Ignitions, Motorsports Safety Systems, Penske Shocks and Wrisco Industries.
